Tesla’s New Solar Roof Actually Costs Less Than Traditional Roofs

(True Activist) Tesla has unveiled a new product in its quest to advance sustainable technology. Tesla’s Solar Roof is not designed for cars— it is for homes— and plans to be inexpensive, with a sleek, traditional appearance. The solar roof will add value to a home, and also become a major asset over the years as it saves money on household electricity.

Consumer Reports originally estimated the price tag at $24.50/ sq. ft., but surprisingly Tesla announced the tiles would be available for $21.85/sq. ft.— about 20% lower cost than a normal roof. Of course, there will be an additional charges for installation, etc., but Tesla seems dedicated to making the technology accessible.

“When you include the benefits of the solar production, Solar Roof will cost less than a regular roof.In fact it may earn you money,”explains the Tesla website, “– as an example, the out-of-pocket cost of a Solar Roof for a typical home in Maryland will be around $52,000, but after considering the tax credit and the value of energy it generates, the roof will actually pay for itself and earn you about $8,000 over 30 years.”

This type of roof also offers protection against the type of blackouts and power outages that can disrupt daily life. The panels capture the energy, which is stored in a battery for use at night or anytime it is needed. The number of panels and size of Tesla Powerwall home battery will be determined based on factors such as if homeowners need to power an electric car nightly, or how much sunlight the location receives.

Tesla says about the revolutionary design on their website: “Made with tempered glass, Solar Roof tiles are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tiles, yet half the weight. They do not degrade over time like asphalt or concrete. Solar Roof is the most durable roof available and the glass itself will come with a warranty for the lifetime of your house, or infinity, whichever comes first.”

Using the roof qualifies a household for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which promotes the use of solar energy by offering a 30% discount on personal income taxes. Since the instatement of the ITC in 2006, solar projects have grown exponentially nationwide.